Hundreds of demonstrators converged on the California state capitol in Sacramento Thursday voicing their opposition to a Trump administration plan to expand offshore drilling. The plan could open nearly all US coastlines to oil and gas drilling. (Feb. 8)
AP

WASHINGTON – Environmental groups are cheering the indefinite delay of President Donald Trump's controversial plan to expand oil and gas drilling off much of America's shoreline, a program that's a linchpin of his "energy dominance" agenda.

"Given the recent court decision, the Department is simply evaluating all of its options to determine the best pathway to accomplish the mission entrusted to it by the President," Interior Spokesperson Molly Block wrote in an email to USA Today.

"This is welcome news and a reminder that this is a nation of laws and the Trump administration is not immune to those laws," said Erik Grafe, an attorney with Earthjustice which represented environmental groups that sued the administration over the executive order. "There should not be expanded oil and gas leasing in our oceans."

Trump has consistently argued for expanded offshore drilling as a pillar of an economic strategy not only to make U.S. energy secure but also to help reinvigorate the manufacturing sector and boost the growth of high-paying jobs.

The initial proposal unveiled in January 2018 and covering leasing activity from 2019 to 2024 included 47 potential lease sales in 25 of the nation's 26 planning areas – 19 sales off the coast of Alaska, seven in the Pacific region, 12 in the Gulf of Mexico, and nine in the Atlantic region.

The plan would apply to federal waters, which begin beyond state waters, generally about three miles from shore.

While encouraged by the administration's delay, drilling opponents still worry the reprieve may be temporary if the administration wins an appeal in a higher court.

"We may have generated enough opposition to slow this down but until the Trump plan is final, the president is positioned to open up our coasts at a moment's notice," said Jacqueline Savitz, chief policy officer at the environmental group Oceana.